Sunday, July 19, 2009

Casey A. Feldman, 1988 - 2009

Casey A. Feldman, 21, a senior at Fordham College at Lincoln Center, was struck by a car on Friday, July 17, in Ocean City, N.J., and died of her injuries later that evening at Atlantic City Medical Center. Casey was the news editor of The Observer, the Lincoln Center student newspaper. She lived in a Philadelphia suburb with her family, and was working at a summer job in Ocean City.

This memorial page is open to Casey's family, friends, classmates and the Fordham faculty and staff who knew her. Feel free to post your memories about Casey in the comments section, or e-mail them to: howe@fordham.edu, along with any images you'd like to share.

Casey was an exceptionally talented news reporter and editor—an inquisitive, dogged and thorough perfectionist. I'd known Casey since she was a freshman and it had been very gratifying to watch her grow. Her news reporting and editing won quite a few awards for The Observer, and she herself had recently been recognized as well—as a finalist in a contest for college reporters who write about religious issues. Casey's death is really a terrible loss to The Observer and to Fordham.Elizabeth Stone, Ph.D., professor of English and communication and media studies, and faculty adviser to The Observer

18 comments:

I am her father's cousin. I didn't know Casey that well, but in a few brief encounters I found her to be one of the most likable members of the family. People in there 20's are kids to me and I don't feel like I have much in common to talk about with kids, but she was easy and comfortable to talk to for a long period of time. I remember her telling me about how interested she was in journalism and I am delighted that she was doing so well in it at Fordam. I also recall her talking about how much she liked horses and riding. She was trying her grandmothers clothes on once. These were outfits that probably went back to the 1950's or earlier and I remember thinking that this kid would look good in any era. I wish I got to know her better.

I knew Casey from the day she was born and I use to babysit her. Her parents are my good friends and I have no words to express the sorrow I am feeling right now. My heart goes out to her family, friends and everyone who had the pleasure of knowing Casey. I was not her real Aunt but I was known as Aunt Rachael

I personally did not know Casey, but she was a good friend of my brothers. I am a mother and sister myself and I can not imagine the grief her family is going through. There is nothing worse in this world than what has happened. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Feldman family. God bless you all and God bless Casey.

In my brief interaction here at Fordham with Casey I always found her to be full of life and deeply involved with her commitment to the Observer. As a mom, my deepest prayers go to her parents and family. It is so hard to imagine the pain in losing a child. May Casey be in a place that is full of light and peace. We will always have fond memories of Casey.

I was Casey's photography teacher at Springfield high school. I want to let her parents and sweet brother Brett know how deeply saddened I am to hear of her loss. She was a very intelligent, respectful and creative student. She was the kind of student that made me want to rise to the challenge of meeting her intellectual needs by providing her with the best preparation of materials and ideas for classes - she was very thoughtful about everything. Brett also had a lot of this same energy and was such a good, kind student. People are their own souls of course, but much of what a person is comes from their parents. I want to express my deepest sympathy to her parents for the loss of their beautiful girl. Wishing you comfort and healing...Daphne / Mrs. O

Casey, you are a gift. It was MY HONOR to be Casey's professor. I first encountered Casey in my Introduction to Communication and Media Studies course. Casey's giftedness as a writer, editor and class leader was clear from our first conversations. She comforted ME when my father passed in April 2007. I shall never forget Casey's touch of kindness during my time of challenge and need. I extend my heartfelt prayers to her family and friends. May she find rest and peace with our Lord.

I was Casey's 12th grade English teacher at Springfield High School. I am stunned, shocked and broken-hearted. I know that I speak for all of her teachers when I say Casey was a dream student: polite, enthusiastic, witty, kind, sensitive, insightful. I can still see her in our classroom, laughing about some comment or thinking hard about an idea. She wanted to grow and learn, and I remember how excited she was to tell me she was going to Fordham. It was the only city for her, the only environment rich enough in culture to expand her universe. She was living a dream that ended far too soon. To her family, I extend my deepest sorrow for your loss.

I always joked that I talked to Casey during the school year more than I talk to my mom, especially on production Tuesdays for the Observer. (And I talk to my mother several times a day.) As one of her assistant news editors last year, I remember dreading her emails because I knew she was always so much more on top of things than I was. She truly whipped me into shape as a journalist and helped me to be a better news writer. I continue to have so much respect for her skill as a reporter and journalist. She possessed the perfect combination of attributes to be a respected reporter who got the stories most college journalists would never be able to process. She also managed to maintain a strong personal and professional relationship with many faculty and administrators at Fordham, and as any writer knows, it's a special skill to be able to both write news and remain well-liked. I strive to be the journalist she was. Everyone who knew her knows she shouldn't have been making the front page of the papers like this. I, along with the rest of the editorial board of The Observer, will work tirelessly, as Casey did, to report the news in her loving memory. The Observer will simply not be the same without you. We love you, Casey.

I was in a class with Casey this past spring semester. We were both in writing for television news and radio. I'm really devastated to hear about what happened to her. Casey was the type of classmate who inspired you to work harder. She was always participating and on the top of her game. I can only hope to ever be half the student/journalist she was. My heart goes out to her friends and family.

Although I never met Casey she interviewed me frequently for the Observer on Health Care issues. Casey was professional, persistent, and talented.When I received the e-mail last evening about her death I was overwhelmed, my sympathy goes out to Casey's family. She is in the arms of the angels may she rest in peace.

We should start a Casey college fund and award an incoming journalism student with a small scholarship in her name. One of those safe, secure donation funds can be set up online and people can contribute even as small as $10. It can add up! May she rest in peace and my prayers are with the family during this tragic time. ~ Lori Lang (CBA 96)

I never knew Casey personally, but as a mutual friend of so many other people I've met at Fordham, it goes without saying that she was a brilliant, intelligent and beautiful young woman. May her talents shine with the stars above us.

Casey was a promising young journalist and an outstanding student. She was a thought-leader in my classes, and someone who always asked important questions --of the material, of the world, of me, of herself. This is such a tragic loss for all of us.

I am a cousin of Casey's and have set up a website to collect and archive stories & photos of Casey. Please forgive the emptiness of the site. I am still working on the layout - but I wanted to give people a chance to start adding to it as soon as I could:

It is very empty right now -- but if you would like to contribute, please click on the 'Contribute' link. I will be approving contributions later today, so don't panic if you don't see your addition immediately. Please pass this link along to anyone who might want to contribute.

If you have questions, please feel free to contact me at admin AT caseyfeldman.com

While I did not know Casey that well, I had class with her at one point. She was a very intelligent person, and I can not believe that this happened. While her untimely death is very tragic, from hearing all the good things about her I can only say that Fordham lost a deeply compassionate, dedicated, and purely great person. She was always kind, and she was a prolific writer, one whose articles I frequently turned to in The Observer. I think I can speak for everyone and say that she will be missed. We must remember her for the great person that she is, and better ourselves so that we may strive to exemplify the great qualities that shone through her every day. My condolences go out to her family and friends, and I will keep Casey and her loved ones in my prayers.

Casey was in my journalism class and was an editor for the school newspaper. She was an outstanding writer and excellent leader. Whether it was writing an article herself or helping another student with one, Casey was fully engaged. She approached every task with sensitivity, kindness and intelligence. At her young age, Casey had a level of maturity most high school students don't achieve. She was truly a wonderful human being and her passing fills me with deep sadness.